City International Hospital

City International Hospital, usually shortened to CIH, is a private multispecialty hospital in An Lac, at the western gateway to Ho Chi Minh City. It provides outpatient consultation, inpatient admission, surgery, maternity, paediatrics, assisted reproduction, diagnostic services and 24-hour emergency care. Its location is particularly relevant to residents of Binh Tan and travellers approaching the city from western provinces or Cambodia.

Outpatient and inpatient medical care

CIH publishes a wide clinical range rather than operating as a narrow specialist clinic. Departments include general internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology and endoscopy, dermatology, ophthalmology, ear-nose-throat care, urology, dentistry and maxillofacial care, nephrology and dialysis. Patients can also be admitted when monitoring, treatment or recovery cannot be managed safely as an outpatient.

When booking, describe the main symptom and any existing diagnosis so the appointment reaches the correct department. Bring current medicines, allergies and previous reports. If several specialties may be involved, ask which doctor should coordinate the initial assessment rather than arranging disconnected consultations.

Emergency care and intensive support

The emergency number is (028) 6290 1155 and operates around the clock. The hospital also publishes an intensive-care department. Use emergency care for chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing difficulty, major trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, poisoning, loss of consciousness or a serious pregnancy or paediatric emergency.

Call before an ambulance transfer when possible and provide the patient’s exact location, condition and a reachable phone number. The main switchboard, 1900 8146, is intended for general hospital enquiries and appointments; it is not the number to prioritise during a time-critical emergency.

Surgery, gastroenterology and diagnostics

General surgery covers gastrointestinal, liver, biliary and pancreatic conditions, with both surgical and non-surgical assessment. The hospital publishes operating theatres and minimally invasive equipment as well as diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. Other support includes imaging, laboratory testing and interventional capability.

Before a planned operation, request the surgeon’s name, proposed procedure, alternatives, major risks, likely admission and follow-up. Ask for an itemised estimate that separates surgeon, anaesthesia, theatre, consumables, pathology, room and possible intensive care. For endoscopy, confirm fasting, bowel preparation, sedation and whether an adult must escort the patient home.

Maternity, neonatal and paediatric services

Obstetrics and gynaecology, maternity packages, paediatrics and neonatal intensive care are prominent parts of CIH’s published service range. Families planning delivery should ask what the package includes, which room categories are available and how the estimate changes if caesarean delivery, anaesthesia, additional maternal treatment or neonatal admission becomes necessary.

Bring antenatal notes, ultrasound reports and laboratory results when transferring care. Parents should also ask how paediatric appointments, vaccination, after-hours assessment and neonatal follow-up are organised. For heavy bleeding, severe pain, reduced fetal movement, breathing difficulty or a sick newborn, use urgent assessment rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

IVF and reproductive medicine

The hospital publishes an assisted-reproduction centre providing fertility assessment and IVF-related care. Treatment involves consultations, testing, medicines, procedures and laboratory stages that should be costed separately. Ask which doctor leads the case, what investigations are required and how success rates are defined for the patient’s age and diagnosis.

International patients should clarify legal and documentation requirements before travelling. Confirm what happens to stored embryos or other material, how consent is recorded, the storage period, annual fees and how follow-up will continue if the patient leaves Vietnam between stages.

Support for international patients

CIH publishes dedicated assistance for foreign patients and a Cambodian patient-care office that helps with registration, travel, interpretation and practical needs. The hospital also states that it is authorised to examine and treat foreign patients. Language availability for a particular doctor or department should still be arranged before arrival.

Send records in advance when possible and ask which documents need translation. Bring a passport, visa details if relevant, insurance information and a local contact. Ask for written consent and discharge information in a language the patient understands. The hospital has treated patients from several countries, but past international activity does not guarantee that every language is available at all times.

Location and travel from central Ho Chi Minh City

The current address is No. 3, Street 17A, An Lac ward, Ho Chi Minh City, in the Hoa Lam–Shangri-La high-tech medical area near Aeon Mall Binh Tan. It is west of the central districts, so traffic can add substantial travel time. Use the full hospital name and street number rather than searching only for “international hospital.”

For a scheduled appointment, allow time for registration and finding the department. For an emergency, ask which entrance to use. Patients travelling from Cambodia or a western province should plan return transport, accommodation and the possibility that assessment leads to admission.

Opening hours and appointments

Published routine hours are 07:30–11:30 and 13:00–16:30 Monday to Friday, with Saturday morning from 07:30–11:30. Department and doctor schedules may differ, and current availability should be confirmed through 1900 8146. Emergency care remains available 24/7.

Email enquiries can be sent to truyenthong@cih.com.vn. For a useful booking message, include the patient’s age, main concern, preferred department, language need and desired date. A confirmed doctor and time are more reliable than arriving during general hospital hours.

Insurance, estimates and admission planning

CIH publishes insurance links, but coverage and direct billing depend on the insurer and policy. The profile therefore does not present a universal list of accepted plans. Contact both the insurer and hospital before elective care, and obtain written pre-authorisation when required. Ask about deposits, excluded items and reimbursement documents.

For admission, confirm room type, companion rules, personal-medicine handling and expected discharge process. Keep copies of identification, estimates and approvals. Current screening and maternity packages may change, so use the hospital’s latest written quotation rather than an old online price.

Discharge and continuing care

Before leaving, obtain the diagnosis, procedure report where applicable, medicine list, warning signs and follow-up date. Ask who will communicate pathology or tests that are still pending. International patients should request an English or otherwise usable clinical summary and digital copies of important imaging.

If care will continue elsewhere, record the treating doctor and department. Do not rely only on brand names for medicines; the active ingredient and dose are essential. Our comparison of international hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City provides further questions about emergency capability, language and insurance coordination.

When another provider may be more suitable

CIH offers broad hospital care, but the western location may be inconvenient for a minor issue when a qualified clinic is much closer. Conversely, a small clinic is not appropriate for symptoms requiring emergency imaging, surgery, intensive care or neonatal support. Choose according to urgency and the service needed.

Highly specialised treatment may also require confirmation or referral. Ask whether the named subspecialist and required equipment are available before travelling. For a rapidly worsening condition, use the nearest capable emergency service; do not cross the city solely for a preferred brand if that delays stabilisation.